Biocontainment Laboratory Mechanical Support Specialist

Job Title

Biocontainment Laboratory Mechanical Support Specialist

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Global Health Research Complex

Proposed Minimum Salary

$3,750.00 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

 

What We Want

We are seeking a skilled and dependable Biocontainment Laboratory Mechanical Support Specialist to support the safe and compliant operation of high-containment research facilities. This role is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, troubleshooting, and coordinating repairs of critical laboratory systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, and other biocontainment infrastructure. The ideal candidate has strong mechanical aptitude, experience working with complex building systems, and the ability to respond effectively to operational issues while ensuring compliance with federal regulations, biosecurity requirements, and institutional policies.

 

Who We Are

The Global Health Research Complex (GHRC) at Texas A&M University is a state-of-the-art biocontainment research facility that will improve animal and human health within the State of Texas, across the United States, and around the globe. The GHRC supports and advances multi-disciplinary large animal and insect vector research, education, and training opportunities for faculty at Texas A&M and their partners from other academic institutions and industry. To learn more, visit https://ghrc.tamu.edu/.

 

What You Need to Know

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000/annually.

A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended.

Other Requirements and Factors:

• Medical evaluation is required at least annually. Full participation in a medical clearance program is required, which includes blood testing and possibly vaccinations.
• Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, powered air purifying respirators (PAPR), Tyvek suites, lab clothing, foot protection, eye, hand, ear, and other associated PPE related to this position.
• Must be able to undergo and maintain a favorable CDC/APHIS clearance as required for work in select agent registered spaces.
• Must be able to undergo and maintain a favorable background investigation and National Select Agent Registration security risk assessment within 45 days of hire.

 

Essential Duties/Tasks

Biocontainment Systems Operations, Maintenance, Repair, Certification, Verification, and Validation

• Monitors the physical operations of BSL-3 (and equivalent) laboratories and coordinates and/or conducts/performs under supervision the scheduling of building maintenance, renovation, and repairs required to achieve and maintain biocontainment and biosecurity.
• Identifies issues within the biocontainment laboratories to ensure safe and compliant operation. 
• Generates and compiles accurate and complete records relative to the operation, maintenance, renovation, and repair of biocontainment laboratories and provides ongoing mechanical support to ensure compliance with Federal and institutional regulations and policies.
• Provides routine status reports of the mechanical operations of biocontainment laboratories to management.
• Implements corrective actions for findings of non-compliance with Federal and institutional regulations and policies associated with mechanical laboratory support operations.
• Completes necessary documentation regarding non-compliance.

 

Recordkeeping

• Helps maintain records relative to the operation, maintenance, renovation, and repair of GHRC biocontainment systems, equipment, laboratories, and support spaces.

 

Reporting

• Provides routine status reports of the GHRC biocontainment systems to the Biocontainment Facility Lead Engineer to ensure systems are safe and compliant.

 

Inspections

• Conducts and/or performs under supervision the evaluation and inspection of equipment, systems, and spaces, and records and submits information into appropriate databases.

 

On Call

• Participates in the building on call emergency response program.
• Serves as a potential first responder and as such is responsible for exercising professional judgement to independently determine response phases and mobilization of internal and external resources (Biosafety, Environmental Health and Safety, Emergency Management Services, University Police Department, and others).
• Analyzes situations, evaluates alternatives, and determines appropriate courses of action.
• Exercises discretion and independent decision-making within the scope of assigned responsibilities.

Training and Continued Education

• Participates in facility specific training.
• Attends meetings as needed to improve skills and knowledge or as required by management.
• Participates in training and continued education activities as provided by GHRC and required by federal guidelines and accreditation standards. 

 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• High School or GED equivalent.
• Four years of related experience.

 

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Must successfully obtain and maintain Biological Select Agent and Toxin clearance.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Four years’ related experience in a trade school or apprenticeship in HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical or other related field.
• A minimum of six years’ experience in operations, maintenance, and repair of laboratory building systems, including but not limited to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, or laboratory systems.
• Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS) and associated graphical interfaces, preferably Siemens BAS systems.
• Experience in conducting field tests, verification, and certification of critical biocontainment systems for laboratory facilities to include but not limited to HEPA filtered systems including HVAC exhaust and supply filters, plumbing vent filters, and other systems equipped with HEPA filters.
• Experience with building automation systems, operations and programming.
• Knowledge of audio/visual systems.
• Knowledge of HEPA Filtration systems. Knowledge of DDC, pneumatic, PLC, HVAC controls, calibration and testing and/or balancing (TAB).

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Ability to operate two-way radios.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to calmly handle stressful situations.
• Ability to follow and give instructions orally and in writing in a highly technical environment.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Possesses analytical skills for determining system malfunctions and appropriate response.

 

Physical Requirements

• Works indoors as well as outdoor environments that can contain excessive heat, cold, humidity, dampness, dust, fumes, moving machinery, large animals, oils, chemicals, slippery or uneven surfaces, and others.
• Works from ground level, ladders, platforms on equipment and systems where components can be hard to reach.

Why Texas A&M University?  

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.  

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month 

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time 

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more  

• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee 

• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.